Red alert for extremely heavy rains issued in Himachal, IMD warns of landslides, flash floods & road blockages

In view of the deteriorating weather conditions, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s scheduled visit to Kullu on Sunday was cancelled. Sukhu was to reach Bahang near Manali by air and later inspect disaster-affected areas in the Kullu valley.

According to the IMD, monsoon activity remained active over the state during the past 24 hours, with light to moderate rainfall reported at most places and heavy rain at isolated locations. The highest rainfall was recorded in Malraon (Bilaspur) at 9 cm, followed by Naina Devi and RL Bbmb (Bilaspur) at 8 cm each, and Chuari (Chamba) at 7 cm.

Minimum temperatures ranged between 8°C and 25°C, with Kukumseri recording the lowest at 8.2°C, while Bilaspur recorded the highest maximum temperature at 32.9°C.

Maximum temperatures are likely to fall by 3-6°C over the next 24 hours.

Meanwhile, continuous downpour has caused multiple road blockages in Kullu district.

According to the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), NH-03 (Kullu-Manali) is blocked at Shirad Resort after a portion of the road was washed away. Several other stretches, including Bahang, SASE, Solang Nala–Atal Tunnel Road, Volvo Bus Stand, and Green Tax Barrier, are blocked due to shooting stones and landslides.

Other affected routes include Bhuntar-Jari Road (blocked at Sarsari), Left Bank Road (blocked at Charudu) and Aut-Banjar Road (blocked near Sharai).

In Banjar subdivision, the Larji-Sainj Road is open only for light vehicles, while the Neuli-Shansher Road remains blocked.

Anni subdivision reported blockages on Sainj-Kandugad and Bani Gad roads, and Nirmand–Jaon Road is closed due to damage.

Mandi Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan appealed to residents to stay vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel. “Heavy rainfall has been forecast for the next 48 hours. People in landslide-prone and riverbank areas must take extra precautions,” he said.

The administration has deployed machinery for road clearance, but continuous rainfall and recurring slides are hampering restoration efforts. Tourists and locals have been advised to postpone travel to high-risk areas until the situation improves.

Power supply hit

Mandi Electricity Division executive engineer Rajesh Kumar said, “The recent heavy rainfall and landslides have caused severe damage to a 132 kV double circuit (Bijni-Larji-Kagu) Extra High Voltage Line tower near the 9 Mile (Pandoh) area. This line was the main power supply source for the 132/66/33/11 kV Bijni substation and the Electricity Division in Mandi.”

The officer said, “At present, the Mandi division is receiving power through the Shanan-Bijni 66 kV line and the 33 kV Ratti-Medical College-Badshu-Bijni line. However, continuous landslides and falling trees in the Lawandi Nala area (near Bijni) are repeatedly damaging the Shanan-Bijni 66 kV line. Due to this, consumers are facing intermittent power outages.”

“The electricity department is making continuous efforts to provide an uninterrupted 24-hour supply to consumers. The repair work on the 132 kV line is being carried out on a war footing and is expected to take about a week to complete,” he added.

The officer appealed to the residents of Mandi town and nearby areas — Majhwar, Gutkar, Behna, Sauli Khad, Talyahad, Kehnwal, Gokhra, Saiglu, Kotli, Bhargao, Bir, Bari, Bijni, Darang Dhanog, Chhipnu, Khaliyar, Purani Mandi, Jail Road, Tarna, Seri Bazaar, Mangwai, Katindi, Kamand, Kataula, Bagi, Batheri, and IIT Kamand — to cooperate and maintain patience during this period.

He urged the people that electricity should be used only for essential purposes so that limited resources can be distributed as efficiently as possible across all areas.

819 roads blocked

The torrential rains have wreaked havoc across Himachal Pradesh, leaving 819 roads blocked, including three National Highways (NH-03, NH-05, and NH-305), disrupting connectivity in multiple districts. As per official data, 1,236 distribution transformers (DTRs) and 424 water supply schemes (WSS) have also been affected, compounding the crisis.

Chamba tops the list with 253 roads blocked, including 178 due to heavy rain in Sub-Division Chamba alone. Other badly hit areas include Salooni (52), Tissa (49), and Bharmour (48).

Kullu reported 175 roads closed, including NH-03 and NH-305, with Banjar, Nirmand, and Manali subdivisions facing the worst disruption. Lug Valley, Kolibehar, Manikaran, Kharal, and Larji areas remain inaccessible.

Mandi recorded 206 blocked roads, including NH-03. Seraj (71), Thalout (55), and Dharampur (26) subdivisions are among the worst affected.

Kangra reported 61 road blockages, while Shimla accounted for 39, and Lahaul & Spiti for 11. Kinnaur has 11 blocked roads, with NH-05 obstructed near Nathpa and Nigulsari.

Himachal Pradesh has received 72 per cent excess rain in August 2025, data showed.

The state has suffered losses to the tune of Rs 3,042 crore this monsoon, and 320 people have died in rain-related incidents and road accidents, SEOC data showed. As many as 4,041 houses have been fully or partially damaged.

Two empty vehicles buried under debris of landslide

Two empty vehicles were buried under debris of a heavy rain-triggered landslide near Kali Mata temple in Vikasnagar area of Shimla late Sunday night.

The landslide caused a massive accumulation of debris on the road, blocking traffic.

The district administration promptly deployed teams at the site for the road-clearing operation.

ADM Pankaj Sharma said JCB machines were deployed to expedite the work, and debris removal was being carried out on a war footing. Three vulnerable trees standing in the affected area are also being cut down to avoid an accident.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Rural) Manjeet Sharma, who visited the spot, said, “Locals have been advised to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary movement near the affected zone. The administration has tightened safety measures in the surrounding areas.”

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